They arrived with very little English, far from family and friends, and with the prospect of starting a new school, new job and new life ahead of them.

This year they cemented their future in Australia by taking out Australian citizenship.

Hesitant to stand in front of a crowd on Australia Day they instead opted for a smaller ceremony earlier this month.

While Jojo and Amor admit to holding mixed feelings, their sons could not contain their enthusiasm.

"For me it took us two years to finally decide to be an Australian citizen, for me and Jojo it was like, we were not ready to Australian from being a Filipino, we wanted to keep that," Amor said.

"When we had the ceremony we noticed how our children really wanted to be an Australian citizen.

"With the boys, having that certificate of Australian citizenship, gave them a sense of being like other Australians, like their classmates."

While Jojo and Amor often struggle with the sadness of being away from loved ones in the Philippines, memories are more fleeting for sons Joshua, 12, Angelo, 10, Enoch, 8 and Jacob, 3.

Joshua explained that being given Australian citizenship gave him a sense of belonging.

"It was exciting, because I get to be an Australian, and I don't feel different from other people, because I'm an Australian now like them," he said.

"I think I'm more Aussie than Filipino, and in percentages, 75 per cent Aussie and 25 Filipino."

A new life

A job offer from an electricity distribution company provided an opportunity for Jojo to move to Barmera in 2006.

The decision was made for Amor and their then three children to stay in Manila for a year while Jojo settled in to work and found a home.

It was a difficult time for the young family.

"It was alright on the first few months, because we were busy trying to get all our certificate and training but once we transfer here to the depot, it's really hard, because you really miss them a lot, but you cannot do anything about it until you're stable," Jojo said.

"It's about the money, that's why I needed to be settled here first."

Amor said the decision to leave the Philippines was aimed at pursuing a better life for their children in Australia.

"It's really tough to have a family in the Philippines and there was an opportunity for my husband to work in Australia," Amor said.

Family ties

Both Amor and Jojo belong to large, extended families and, typical of Filipino culture, lived in close-knit family groups in Manila.

"It is our culture that the family always stays together, like being intact together with all the relatives, we live in a little house together with the second generation and all of our grandparents," Amor said.

"In a sense it has an advantage of being close together and being on each other shoulders when you have problems.

"I really miss that when I come to Australia, it's really different when you don't have family here."

Amor has created her own makeshift family in Australia, regularly bringing together Filipino and Australian friends for large, shared dinners complete with music and dancing.

With her warm hospitality and animated conversation, it's easy to understand why Amor's friends love dropping over for a meal, chat, and chance to reminisce.

"We've got Australian friends as well, and most Australians that we know that are close to us are really good and we value their friendships," Amor said.

"We notice how people are so similar to each other, regardless of their race."

Part of the community

The rich multicultural fabric of the Riverland community has made the transition into regional Australia easier for the Villanueva family.

"The first years that we moved here from the Philippines, the community, especially Barmera, has been very supportive of us," Amor said.

"The school, the Barmera Primary School, I really felt how they welcomed my children.

"Even though my children arrived here with little English, they really have this support and feeling of belonging, we felt that from the community."

Australia Day celebrations

Australia Day celebrations will be held across the Riverland on Saturday, January 26.

Barmera - Australia Day celebration with a walk at 6.30am followed by breakfast at 7am on the lakefront, adjacent Whitmore Ave.

Renmark - Australia Day celebrations at Jarrett Memorial Gardens along James Ave from 8am.

Waikerie - Australia Day Extravaganza at the town oval from 6pm-12am with a ceremony at 7pm.

Loxton - Australia Day breakfast at the rotunda on East Tce from 7-9am.

Kingston-on-Murray - Australia Day breakfast along the riverfront adjacent the barbecue area from 8am with a ceremony at 9am.

Morgan - Australia Day celebrations at the riverfront near High St from 8am with a ceremony at 11am.

Jojo and Amor Villanueva with children Joshua, 12, Angelo, 10, Enoch, 8 and Jacob 3. The family will celebrate Australia Day for the first time this year as Australian citizens.
(Catherine Heuzenreder - ABC Local)